“Mom!”
I grabbed Ethan by the collar, making him wail. For a moment, it looked like I was going to toss him down the stairs.
“You dare! You crazy woman! How could I have given birth to something like you?”
Mom slapped her thigh in panic, tears streaming down her face. Megan was terrified too, but she still refused to give in. The two men in the room didn’t even look up from the television.
So this was who my mother protected with all her heart.
I laughed bitterly at the scene. Mom begged and cried, even dropping to her knees, until finally she agreed to clear out my bedroom. Only then did I release Ethan.
Megan glared at me furiously, not out of concern for her son, but because she still wanted money.
I collapsed onto my bed, my head pounding. Calling 911 was useless—this was a “family matter,” and in the end, I’d be told to resolve it myself. And with Megan acting like a lunatic, who knew what she might do next?
I dozed the whole day in a haze. The following evening, as soon as I reached the entrance of the apartment complex, a group of people blocked my way.
“Emily, I know you’re a good girl, but your family is just too disruptive. Could you… maybe consider moving somewhere else?”
It was Mrs. Brown, forcing a smile while her eyes brimmed with irritation.
I stared at her in confusion. I’d lived here for five years. Why would they suddenly want me gone?
Then I saw them—Mom and Dad downstairs, blasting loud music from portable speakers, so loud it rattled through the entire building.
The other neighbors weren’t as polite as Mrs. Brown. They glared at me and launched into furious complaints about Daniel and Megan’s antics.
“They’ve been banging on doors since morning—we can’t sleep, our kids can’t rest! All of you need to leave!”
“That’s right! I didn’t move here to have my peace destroyed by this trash. Don’t think I don’t know—you and your parents are all the same! Get out!”
Their voices grew louder and louder. Even security couldn’t hold them back, while property management stood by helplessly.
I was reaching my breaking point. Why did my family always have to bring me nothing but trouble?
“Emily, it’s really simple. Either give me the money and we’ll leave, or sell the house so we can all share the loss.”
Megan sauntered over, smirking as she watched me crumble.
They were certain I couldn’t stay here. The neighbors despised me, my home was in shambles, and the noise was endless.
The crowd grew more agitated, ready to throw us all out.
“Why don’t you just give the house to your brother? That way you’ll stop fighting. It’s all for your own good,” Mom sobbed, pretending to care.
A chill ran through me.
“For my own good? Everything he has came from me! And now even my home should be his? You just want me to spend my life taking care of Daniel, don’t you?”
I screamed at Mom, fury burning as I looked at her pitiful face. This had been my whole childhood—I had believed her, always putting Daniel first.
But now, I saw it clearly.
I shoved Mom aside, ignoring their curses, and stormed back into my apartment.
Megan and the others followed, spewing insults.
When I opened the door, I froze.
My belongings were strewn across the floor, jewelry boxes ripped open, and every piece of jewelry gone without a trace.
